Winter is officially here and the holiday season is behind us. With this comes cold temperatures, snow, shorter days and longer nights.

During this time of year our attention naturally wants to draw inwards (think of all the animals hibernating) and we should respect that. It’s a wonderful time of introspection and yin yoga, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, and self-care practices support this. However, due to shorter days, longer nights, cold weather, and a desire to turn inwards, the body tends to hold onto more and become stagnant. This can cause poor circulation, stiff joints, weight gain, mild depression, lethargy, and a weakened digestive fire. To counter the potential of sinking into the winter blues and to stay healthy during the chilly season, it’s important to move enough so that you’ll create some internal heat, but not to the point of exhaustion. Think slow and rhythmic flows such as sun salutations, grounding but somewhat heating poses such as backbends, and poses that gently compress the belly. Add in some restorative poses, a long savasana or meditation and you should be good to go.

To help keep you balanced, warm, and in good health this winter try incorporating one or all of these yogic practices into your routine.

I would also like to invite you to join me for a 90-minute class: Warming & Restoring for the Winter Season on Saturday, February 2nd from 1:30-3pm. Click here to register.

On the inhale, raise the arms overhead without flaring the front ribs (Urdhva Hastasana). Feel the lift come from the waist and move out through the fingertips

Exhale, hinge forward and down from the hip creases while sweeping the arms out to the sides, landing in a forward fold (Uttanasana). Bend the knees as needed in this transition to maintain length in the spine and an openness across the chest

Inhale, pull the chest forward into a halfway lift (Ardha Uttanasana) by placing the hands to the shins or blocks and straightening the arms. Bend the knees as needed to create length in the spine and a broadening across the collar bones

Exhale, fold forward and down into Uttanasana

Inhale, float the arms out to the sides and up into Urdhva Hastasana. Use the help of the hamstrings in this transition by lightly engaging just below the glutes

Exhale, arms to the sides of the torso, landing in Tadasana

Repeat 3-5 times while enjoying the slower pace

Forearm Plank/Dolphin Plank

Laurel Marsh - Forearm Plank

Benefits

Strengthens the core, arms, shoulders, and legs

Stretches the hamstrings, calves and arches of the feet

Increases confidence and energy

Relieves mild depression and stress

Creates internal heat

Builds strength and stamina

A “wrist free” alternative to Plank

How To

Come onto the forearms and interlace the hands up to the webbing. Tuck the bottom pinky finger under so it does not bear any weight

Bring the elbows a touch narrower than shoulders width apart

Stack the shoulders directly over the elbows and extend the legs straight back, coming into forearm plank. Be sure to walk the legs far enough back so that the body forms a long, straight line from the shoulders to the heels

Bring the feet hips width apart and press into the ball of each foot

Draw the frontal hip bones of the pelvis toward the lower ribs to help tone the lower belly

Use the help of the legs by lifting the fronts of the thighs away from the ground while extending the heels back

Lift the chest up into the space between the shoulder blades to prevent them from winging off the back. Broaden across the collar bones and lengthen the sternum forward

Stay for 5-10 breaths or work up to a 30-60 second hold

Salabhasana (Locust Pose) with the feet down

Laurel Marsh - Salabhasana with feet down

Benefits

Strengthens the back, arms, and legs

Opens the chest, shoulders, and abdomen

Improves posture

Increases the digestive fire by massaging the belly

How To

Come onto the floor, belly down and forehead to the mat

Extend the arms alongside the torso, palms down and on the floor

Separate the legs to hips width apart with the tops of the feet pressing into the mat - big toes pointing straight back

On the inhale, lift the fronts of the shoulders, chest, and head to hover off the floor, while lengthening the sternum away from the naval

On the exhale, press firmly into the tops of the feet

Draw the inner borders of the shoulder blades in towards each other to help create more of a lift and opening across the chest

Roll the inner thighs to the outer thighs to help create space in the lower back and maintain the heaviness to the feet. If the outer ankles sickle out, hug them in to keep the big toes pointing straight back

Stay for 5-10 breaths or work up to a 30-60 second hold

Salamba Matsyendrasana (Supported Twist)

Laurel Marsh - Salamba Matsyendasana

Benefits

Creates a gentle compression to the abdominal organs

Stretches the back

Soothes and calms the nervous system

Therapeutic for digestion, insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure

Props Needed

A bolster, two blocks, and blankets

Bolster and blocks can be substituted with sleeping pillows or folded blankets

How to

Place one block to its medium height and the other block to its lowest height at the top of the mat. Make sure there is a few inches of space between the two blocks

Place the bolster on top of the blocks so that it forms a slope

Sit behind the bolster, placing the outer right hip against the bottom edge of the bolster

The legs can stack on top of each other or stagger, whichever is most comfortable. If there’s an extra blanket, it can be nice to place one under the bottom knee and/or sandwiched between the knees/leg bones

On an exhale, turn the belly and torso towards the bolster while placing the hands on either side of the bolster

Inhale, lengthen the spine; exhale, drape the belly and torso over the bolster landing in a gentle twist

Play with a head position that feels best for the neck

Arms can wrap around the top edge of the bolster or rest where ever it’s comfortable. Feel free to drape a blanket across the torso for added support

We tie up the second limb of yoga with Ishvara Pranidhana, or the surrendering to something greater than ourselves. Patanjali strategically left this one for last because it puts everything into a clearer picture. It isn’t until we’ve explored and introduced all the other Yamas and Niyamas into our lives that we can truly surrender to “The Self”. More simply put, the more we delve into these limbs and feel their positive effects, the more humbly we can surrender to something greater than ourselves. In this modern age it can be a bit precarious tip-toeing around the discussion of religion and beliefs, but as Yoga evolves and changes in today’s society, Ishvara (The Self) can be viewed as God, God’s or simply Mother Nature. Whatever your beliefs are, Ishvara Pranidhana is the selfless act of humility. Allowing ourselves to humbly bow to a greater power, whatever that may mean for you.

In some yoga practices classes begin with an opening prayer which is a blessing of gratitude that we offer up to all the yoga teachers and Sages who have come before us. We express gratitude that this wonderful tradition has been preserved and passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years so that we can experience its incredible benefits today.

So next time you practice try inviting these simple thoughts into your mind before you begin. Humbly bow to those who have come before you, those who have moved in the same ways you move on your own mat today and allow yourself to feel connected to a system much bigger and greater than all of us as individuals.

I will leave you with my personal favorite mantra, one I have hanging right in my yoga space. I begin my practice with a mantra that expresses gratitude for the practice and I finish with the mantra listed below, which reminds me to share what I have gained from my practice with the world around me.

This is the Mangala Mantra which comes from the Rig Vedas. Its English translation is:

This month we’ll look at Svadhyaya, the fourth Niyama, which can be translated as “self-study”. It’s important to note that in traditional scriptures discussing yoga, the word self with a lowercase “s” is in reference to our physical being and the same word used with a capital “S” is about the true self, or The Divine. So, in its truest essence Svadhyaya is the studying of the self, through reading of scriptures and looking inward to help us better connect ourselves to the divine that resides in all of us.

Now I will confess that sometimes it can be hard to digest The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and other similar scriptures on Yoga. If the ancient scriptures seem a bit too heavy it can be helpful to start with an article or a book that discusses the practices and traditions of Yoga to deepen your knowledge. Svadhyaya can simply be reading and studying any writings that help us to move towards self-realization. Taking time to delve deeper into the wisdom that can come from the tradition of Yoga provides us with the incredible opportunity to live and grow in life with a strong sense of Self. When we put energy towards developing ourselves in a way that is completely authentic to who we truly are we allow our lives to evolve in a positive direction and positively affect those who choose to be around us.

Svadhyaya is easy to practice on the mat. One of the most beautiful elements of a yoga practice is that it forces us to become fully present. Without stimulation coming from our phones, daily tasks and human interactions we are left on our mats with nothing but our mind, breath and body. Awareness during our practice enables us to discover and study where we hold tension in our bodies and what thoughts we let take up space in our mind. With this new awareness our physical yoga practice (asana) gives us the opportunity to release tensions in the mind-body to help us better heal ourselves from the inside out.

Svadhyaya off the mat is a little bit trickier. Like we’ve mentioned, Svadhyaya can be viewed as the reading or studying of a text that helps to deepen our connection and understanding of Yoga. However, Svadhyaya can also mean studying the self as we go about our daily routines. In a society that thrives on multitasking it can be next to impossible to remove ourselves from our technology and our social engagements and allow ourselves to observe. Some days we may even find it difficult to rest in Savasana because the act of doing “nothing” can feel too challenging.

This month I suggest taking a step back and observing yourself. When you focus on your actions or your thoughts you introduce the element of Svadhyaya into your daily life. “Why am I choosing to do this?” or “why am I reacting this way?” can sometimes be enough to help us distinguish between our actions being driven by our ego (or how we think we should be perceived), versus our truest self. And lastly, Svadhyaya, as it relates to scriptures and study can be explored by reading a new book!

The fall, and dare I say winter, is upon us, which brings quite a few changes to us New Englanders. Yes, summer temperatures will pop up here and there, but let’s face it, they’ll be few and far between.

During the change of seasons it’s important to note that just as we see changes in the external world, our internal being shifts as well. This can often be overlooked as we get swept up in our everyday activities, but if you stop and pay attention, you may notice a growing desire for warm, soothing, comforting, and grounding foods or activities. It makes total sense - these desires help to balance out the cooler temperatures, rough winds, and busy or un-grounding schedule. This concept of like increases like and the opposite balances stems from the ancient practice and sister science of yoga, Ayurveda (Ayur meaning life, Veda meaning knowledge or science).

So, to help keep you balanced, grounded, and in good health this autumn try incorporating one or all of these yogic practices into your routine. Enjoy!

Bhu Mudra

Bhu Mudra (Hand Gesture or Seal)

Benefits

Calms the nervous system

Reduces stress and anxiety

Great for travelers

How To

Come to a comfortable seated position using a meditation cushion or chair

Make a fist with each hand and then release the index and middle fingers, forming a peace sign

Straighten the arms out to the sides and place the fingertips onto the ground (or the thighs if seated in a chair)

Close the eyes and breath down into the pelvis and belly

On the inhalations feel a subtle upward flow of energy from the ground up through the fingertips

On the exhalations feel a subtle downward flow of energy out through the arms and fingertips

Stay for 10 or so breaths

Cat

Cow

Marjaryasana-Bitilasana

(Cat & Cow Pose)

Benefits

Gently warms the body

Releases tension in the spine, neck, shoulders, and pelvic region

Gently stimulates and tones the abdominal region

Helps establish a slow, steady, and rhythmic breath

Synchronizes breath and movement

How To

Come to a table top position, placing the hands under the shoulders (or slightly ahead) and the hips directly over the knees

On an inhalation lift the tailbone and spread the sit bones while lengthening the chest away from the navel. Broaden across the chest and gently lift the head – this is cow

On an exhalation draw the tailbone towards the floor, lift the lower belly, and curl the spine up towards the ceiling. Spread the shoulder blades and let the head drop – this is cat

Inhale, come back to cow, and exhale move back into cat

Repeat 5-10 times

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold)

Standing Forward Fold

Benefits

Lengthens the back body (back and hamstrings)

Improves digestion and helps reduce bloating/gas

Soothes the nervous system

Reduces stress, mild depression, and headaches

How To

Stand upright in Tadasana (mountain pose) with the hands on the hips and the feet hips width distance or a little wider

On an inhalation softly lift the spine and sides of the torso

On an exhalation bend the knees (as needed) to hinge forward and down from the hip creases

Place the hands to either the floor, blocks, or grab opposite elbow with opposite hand for a ragdoll variation

Tapas is the third of the Niyamas, representing the element of self-discipline.

Tapas can be translated as a burning, in which we can look at is as burning away of impurities within the mind and body to help us unearth the truest version of ourselves.

Tapas is that inner fire that fuels our enthusiasm and passion to become better. When we are disciplined enough to go to bed early so that we can feel energized and ready to practice in the morning that is Tapas. Simply choosing a healthy snack like a fruit instead of a bag of chips can be viewed as tapas. Anytime we are working diligently and passionately towards something positive we are experiencing Tapas.

Looking at Tapas in relation to your personal yoga practice is pretty straightforward. Using your body’s ability to “burn” away impurities through the poses can indirectly help you to burn away mental impurities as well.

-Have you ever had a practice where you have felt focused and energized through all of the movements?

-A practice where the patience and discipline to work through an asana (one that continually proves challenging to you) has led you to feel stronger and more confident within the pose?

-A practice where you’ve arrived at savasana to find that your mind and body have been washed clean of tension and you can rest blissfully for a few moments?

All of that is Tapas!

Experiencing Tapas on your mat is, in my opinion, one of the best experiences to help you during situations that can then arise in the real world. By using self-discipline and passion in our yoga practices we can begin to feel the positive effects of tuning into our breath and remaining fully present. Our yoga practice allows us to quiet those negative thoughts that tend to surface in our mind. We have all experienced that internal voice that can discourage us from taking risks, challenging ourselves and pushing towards accomplishing new goals and endeavors. Yoga helps us to burn through that mental negativity and challenges ourselves, even if it takes countless attempts. This so-called “burning” relates to the element of fire, also known as the element of transformation. When we approach things that take us out of our self-enforced comfort zones we have the option to either take a step back in self-doubt or to step forward in self-confidence.

This month I encourage you, both on and off your mat, to look at challenges as an opportunity to harness your inner fire and burn off anything that doesn’t serve you in your quest for change!

Therapeutic for mild depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, and menstruation

Key Actions:

Start in Dandasana (Staff Pose, see May 2018 column)

Place hands behind the buttocks and separate the legs out into a wide angle. To increase the distance between the legs, slide the buttocks forward a bit

Sit directly on top of the sitting bones and lengthen the spine upward

As in Dandasana, neutralize the legs so that the kneecaps and toes point straight up towards the ceiling

Bring a heaviness to the thighbones by pressing them down into the floor

Flex the feet back toward the knees and press forward with the big toe mounds

On inhalation lengthen up along the spine and broaden across the chest

On exhalation hinge forward from the hips, causing the pelvis to rotate forward

While maintaining an upright spine and active/neutral legs, place the hands between the legs and play with walking them forward. If the spine begins to round or bending at the waist occurs, stop and back off to re-establish length in the spine

If there is room to go deeper, come down onto the forearms

Maintaining the neutrality in the legs, hinging from the hips and staying long in the spine is what determines how deep one will go

In the final expression of Upavistha Konasana, bring the chest to the floor and wrap the index and middle fingers around the big toes. Reach the elbows out in opposite directions and lengthen the crown of the head forward

Stay for 5-10 breaths

To come out slowly walk the hands back toward the body, bend the knees and return to Dandasana

Modifications:

If it is challenging to sit directly on top of the sitting bones, causing lower back to round, place a blanket or two underneath the hips

If the chest does not yet reach the floor, one can place a bolster underneath the torso to practice the actions of the arms

Find the sitting bones at the base of the pelvis by shifting side to side. Sit directly on top of them so that the tailbone and pubis are equidistance from the floor

Bring the legs together, big toes touching and heels about one inch apart

Spin the inner thighs to the floor until the kneecaps face the ceiling, creating neutrality in the legs

Flex the feet back toward the knees and press the big toe mounds forward while drawing the outer blades of the feet back

Firm the tops of the thighbones down. If this action causes the heels to lift it most likely means the knees are hyperextended. In that case bring a soft bend to the knees but practice the activating actions of the legs

Place the hands by the hips, fingertips pointing toward the front of the mat

As the hands and thighs root down, lift and lengthen the sternum up and away from the navel

Draw the shoulders back and down until they are in line with the sides of the torso while broadening across the chest

Keep the chin parallel to the floor as the crown of the head lengthens upward

Take 5 well-rounded breathes and then release

Modifications

If it is difficult to stay directly on top of the sitting bones, causing the lower back to round, sit on top of a folded blanket to elevate the hips. If one is not enough use a second or sit on top of a bolster. Be mindful not to lock out the knees.

This month we’ll discuss an element of yoga that I believe to be the most important, the concept of Santosha.

Santosha, the second Niyama, translates as contentment and when practiced daily can have such a profound effect on your quality of life. It wasn’t until I delved deeper into the philosophy of yoga and discovered Santosha that I began to feel a true transformation from within. It sometimes feels like we live in a society where the grass is always greener on the other side. If we aren’t comparing our successes and failures to that of our closest friends and family, then it’s usually because we are too busy asking ourselves the dreaded “what if” questions. “What if my job was different?” “What if my house was bigger?” and so on and so on.

Santosha is that gentle reminder to be present and to be accepting of where you are in that moment. Comparing yourself to others, or even comparing yourself to the person you once were or the person you hoped you’d become is simply the minds way of robbing you of the wonderful joys you have right in front of you. However, contentment is not to be confused with complacency. No matter your religious beliefs, I believe the Serenity Prayer clearly explains the beauty of contentment:

“God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.”

Now if we look at Santosha as it relates to our physical yoga practice (asanas) we will see a crossover with many of the Yamas mentioned in previous months. In practicing contentment of where our bodies are at and not forcing certain positions (ahimsa) and by acknowledging that we are never the same person each time we arrive on the mat (aparigraha) then we start to create a yoga journey that has a foundation rooted in truth (satya).

Santosha, as it relates to our daily lives, is where I truly began to experience transformation. Slowing down enough to genuinely appreciate what your life has given you opens so much space for more positivity to enter your life. For those of you who have taken my class you will know that I finish both my personal yoga practices as well as my teachings with an element of gratitude. I find that taking a moment to allow yourself to recall at least one thing in this life that you are grateful for is a perfect way to close out your practice. Some days you may struggle to think of one, and some days you may be flooded with beautiful thoughts. It’s the ebb and flow of life. We are all on one big journey and allowing ourselves to be content with the way things are will make this journey much more enjoyable.

“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”

Over the last couple of months, we looked into the Yamas (the “restraints”) to help us delve a little deeper into our yoga practice. You may have noticed that the Yamas and the Niyamas come before the Asanas (the poses) in Pantanjali’s 8-Limbs of Yoga. In the Western world we tend to focus on the physical elements of yoga. The original belief was that the mind & body must be purified together for the Asanas to deliver the most benefits.

Here’s an example I once read that really drove this point home for me. Some of the highest pesticide counts are found on apples so, although apples are inarguably good for you, it takes a lot of extra effort for the body to digest and process these impurities before it can start to absorb the healthy components of the apple. Many people believe you should consume organic apples whenever possible. You can think of the Yamas (non-harming, non-stealing, truthfulness, restraint and non-attachment) and Niyamas (purification, contentment, asceticism, self-study, and devotion) as clearing away the impurities of modern day living so that we can approach our Asana practice from a more “organic” state.

The first Niyama, Saucha (pronounced sow-cha), is the Sanskrit term for cleanliness or purity. On a physical level this Niyama can apply to personal hygiene. We all have been taught from a young age the importance of personal hygiene. Saucha applies to things such as wiping down your mat after each use and arriving to class in clean comfortable clothing. If you practice at home, it’s important to have a clean space that is preferably free of distractions. Awareness of cleanliness shows a certain level of self-respect that can bring a positive energy to your space and practice.

When we look at Saucha as it applies to the mind we start to see all the Yamas come into play. Purity in our thoughts, both on and off our mat, has a profound effect on the quality of our lives. For the sake of this article let’s look at it regarding our yoga practice. If we arrive on our mats carrying the stresses and obstacles from our day, it’ll take some extra effort in our Asana practice to rid us of these “impurities” before we start moving deeper into our practice. It is recommended that for an evening practice you take time to shower beforehand and wash away some of the physical and mental toxins you’ve acquired. Briefly look at your thoughts before you practice and run through the Yamas: “Is this thought harmful? Is it true? Am I attached to it?” Sometimes pausing and acknowledging your mental state before you practice is enough to set you off on the right foot. If you take that time and you still can’t seem to let something go then it’s time to roll out your mat, tap into your Ujjayi breathing and allow the physical movements of your asana to help with the cleansing process.

“The practice of asanas tones the entire body and removes the toxins and impurities caused by overindulgence. Pranayama cleanses and aerates the lungs, oxygenates the blood and purifies the nerves” (BKS Iyengar, “Light on Yoga”).

Plank

Benefits

Laurel Marsh

Strengthens the spine, abdomen, arms, and wrists

Builds strength and stamina for more advanced yoga poses

Key Actions

Start on hands and knees in table top. Be sure that the arms are parallel to each other and the shoulders are directly over the wrists. Look back at the legs and bring them hips width distance with the hips directly over the knees.

Press down into the hands, especially at the base of each index finger.

Press up into the space between the shoulder blades taking any hollowing out of this area. Feel how this slightly spreads the shoulder blades apart and firms them against the back.

Maintaining the previous actions, broaden across the collar bones and lengthen the sternum forward as the outer arms firm in.

Draw the frontal hip bones of the pelvis towards the lower ribs, shortening the distance between these two areas. This brings the pelvis into more of a posterior tilt and helps to tone the lower belly.

Extend the right leg straight back and then the left leg, coming onto the balls of the feet.

Lift the fronts of the upper leg bones away from the floor to tone the legs.

Maintain the actions of the arms, shoulder blades and pelvis from table top and press the heels back as the sternum lengthens forward.

Keep the back of the head in line with the spine while gazing down to the floor.

Find a steady breath and relax the muscles of the face.

Stay for 5-10 breathes.

Modifications

For wrist sensitivity, plank can be done on the forearms. For this version interlace the hands and tuck the bottom pinky finger under. Come onto the forearms and bring the elbows slightly narrower than shoulder width. Stack the shoulders directly over the elbows and find the same actions as if coming into plank on the hands.

Lowering the knees in plank is always an option if it gets to be too intense. Continue to work the actions of plank in the body even if the knees are lowered.

Turn to the left side of the room and widen the distance between the feet to about four feet

Extend the arms out to shoulder height and look to see that the wrists line up with the outer blades of the feet. Place the hands on the hips

Turn all ten toes in and the heels out to slightly pigeon toe each foot. This sets up the placement of the back foot/leg

From the right hip socket, turn the right knee and foot outwards 90 degrees. Make sure the second toe is pointing straight ahead and not angled in or out

Look to see that the right (front) heel lines up with the arch of the left (back) foot

On an exhalation, lunge into the right leg while keeping the back leg straight

The front knee should be directly over the ankle and in line with the second toe. If the knee went past the ankle, widen the distance between the feet. If it remained behind the ankle, shorten the distance between the feet

With the hands on the hips, feel if the pelvis is level. If the left side feels higher than the right, draw the outer left hip down and hug it into the midline

Look to make sure the front knee did not buckle in toward the big toe. If it did, draw the outer knee toward the baby toe

Press into the outer blade of the back foot and lift the inner arch while firming the thigh bone back

Maintaining the set up in the lower half of the body, bring the hands together at the heart. Notice if the trunk is rotated towards the top of the mat. If so, without disrupting the hips and legs, turn the ribcage and chest to the left/long side of the mat

On the inhalation extend the arms out to shoulder height, palms face down

On the exhalation turn the head to the right, setting the gaze on the fingertips

Stay for five well-rounded breaths

To come out, straighten the front leg, relax the arms by the sides and angle the front foot/leg in

Repeat on the other side

Modification

To help with stability, place the outer heel of the back foot against a wall.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga: The Yamas (Moral Restraints), Part 5

Aparigraha

This month we’ll touch on the fifth and final Yama, Aparigraha. In my opinion, this is one of the easiest yamas to truly digest and incorporate into your daily life. Aparigraha can be translated as non-greed, non-possessiveness or non-attachment. Practicing Aparigraha allows us to truly acknowledge what serves us in the present moment while simultaneously allowing us to let go of what is no longer benefiting us.

This may be a very easy Yama to incorporate into your personal yoga practice without too much force and effort. Most of us come to yoga to experience its calming benefits on the mind and body, but oftentimes our minds can lead us astray. What usually starts as an internal practice can lead us towards keeping up with our neighbor, or worse, expecting more from our physical bodies than it may be ready for at that moment (Ahimsa). Social media doesn’t help the cause. Our minds are constantly being flooded with images of “the perfect pose” and we have unrealistic expectations of what our bodies should look and feel like when we practice. Personally speaking, Aparigraha is important for me to remember when it comes to individual asanas. Just because a posture looks and feels a certain way one day doesn’t mean it will feel the same the next. It’s important not to get attached to your practice and its progress and instead accept the constant ebb and flow of your practice.

Stretches the chest, shoulders, abdomen, front of the hips, arms, wrists, and ankles

Strengthens the back, arms, and legs

Stimulates the abdominal organs

Helps relieve fatigue and stiffness in the back

Key Actions

Come onto the belly and extend the legs straight back

Place the hands by the lower ribs, palms down and fingers pointing forward

Look to make sure the elbows are directly over the wrists. If they aren't then slide the hands forward or back as needed

Firm the elbows in toward the sides of the torso so they are directly behind the shoulders

Bring the feet hips-width distance apart

Relax the legs and notice how the inner thighs naturally roll up and out and the outer ankles sickle outward. Accentuate the rolling upwards of the inner thighs, firm the outer ankles in

Press down onto the tops of the feet from the big toes to the pinky toes, feel the legs turn on and slightly lift

On the inhalation press down into the hands until the arms straighten and draw the chest forward and up

Vigorously press into the tops of the feet to lift the knees, thighs, and hips off the ground. Be sure that only the hands and feet are on the ground

Engage the quadriceps to keep the legs lifted as the inner thighs continue to roll up and the outer ankles firm in

Make sure the shoulders are directly over the wrists, if they are not adjust them by moving the legs forward or back

Slightly draw the pubic bone up towards the sternum and continue to lift the chest forward and up

Draw the outer upper arms back and press down into the hands, especially at the base of each index finger

To release, either roll over the toes into Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) or firm the arms in towards the trunk as the elbows bend and the body lowers to the mat

Modifications

If the upper arms and shoulders roll forward and it is difficult to draw the outer upper arms back, try slightly turning the hands out

If having the hands flat on the ground is very bothersome to the wrists, try using hexagon shaped barbells to keep the wrists straight

If Upward Facing Dog is too vigorous, take Baby Cobra. Instead of straightening the arms, keep them bent and lift the shoulders to elbow height. Practice the actions of Upward Facing Dog in the legs, shoulders, and chest while building strength in the back

The 8 Limbs of Yoga: The Yamas (Moral Restraints), Part 4

Brahmacharya

We’ve discussed Ahimsa (Non-harming), Satya (Truthfulness) and Asteya (non-stealing). The fourth Yama, Brahmacharya, is traditionally understood as ‘Celibacy’ or simply restraining from temptations so that our energy can instead be directed towards furthering our Yogic studies. It may be the hardest element to transfer into this modern way of living.

I hope I didn’t lose everyone with the use of the word celibacy, because Brahmacharya can still be practiced without necessarily adhering to its traditional definition. Brahmacharya in its truest form means to direct our energies away from external pleasures so that we can focus more on finding happiness and contentment from the inside out.

Think of Brahmacharya as the awareness of where you expend your “vital” energies. For a moment just close your eyes and think about where you think you direct most of your energy. I’m sure to some extent we all direct a lot of our energy toward outward stresses that in the end don’t affect us as much as we feel. Energy is sometimes put into trying to make ourselves appear different than our true selves. Trying to appear more successful, more organized, more positive, just more than we really are. Excess energy directed towards outward “improvements” leaves us with very little to direct inwards.

Try incorporating Brahmacharya into your daily lifestyle by slowing down periodically and observing your daily patterns. Take time to notice if any of your habits seem to drain you of energy. I don’t necessarily mean the bodily fatigue that sets in after a vinyasa class. I invite you to look more deeply, who you surround yourself with, what you choose to consume to “fuel” the body, in both your foods and your conversation.

Brahmacharya is traditionally taught as restraint from sexual desires in order to better focus on one’s Yogic path. A modern interpretation can be understood as observing where our largest energy outputs are and acknowledging whether they are truly benefiting our personal growth or if they’re draining our precious energies.

On the inhalation reach the arms forward and up. Feel the upward rotation of the shoulder blades

On the exhalation sit the hips back and down

Press into the three corners of each foot while adding a little more weight into the centers of the heels

Be sure the knees are in line with the second and third toe of each foot

Hug the outer hips and legs in towards the midline and drop the tailbone to avoid overarching the lower back. If the lower back flattens, instead of dropping the tailbone, spin the inner thighs in and down

Lift the sides of the waist and firm the outer arms in

Spread the fingers, soften the face and turn the attention to the breath

Play with sitting the hips a little further back and down while maintaining these key actions in the body

Take five rounds of breath and on the last exhalation press down into the feet to straighten the legs and rest the arms by the sides in Tadasana

Modifications

If bringing the big toes to touch and heels slightly parted does not feet stable, place the feet hips width distance. Be sure the second and third toes point forward, maintaining neutrality in the feet and legs

To help access the actions of the outer hips and legs hugging in toward the midline, place a block the narrowest way in between the thighs

If reaching the arms overhead and shoulder width distance is a challenge, play with widening the arms. Continue to practice the actions of firming the outer arms in

The 8 Limbs of Yoga: The Yamas (Moral Restraints), Part 3

We have discussed the first two yamas: Ahimsa (non-harming) and Satya (truthfulness). We have looked at their meanings and how we can incorporate them into our yoga practice as well as our daily lives.

The third yama is Asteya, or non-stealing. On a very physical level this is an easy one. Don’t steal that which does not belong to you. Whether it be items, ideas, emotions, time or energy. If they’re not given to you freely then leave them be.

Asteya can be applied to your yoga practice in a similar way as Ahimsa. Coming to a class and expecting your body to do advanced postures without “earning” them through diligent daily practice is essentially trying to take something that isn’t meant for you. Moving your body in a way that doesn’t suit your current physical and mental state is robbing yourself of the peace that would be attained through an honest practice.

Asteya can also be looked at in relationship to our current environment. Do we take from the Earth more than she is offering? Can simple tweaks in our daily lives reverse our harmful actions? Absolutely. Shortening our showers by a few minutes. Trying to remember to bring reusable bags to the grocery store. It could even relate to how much “stuff” we buy and how quickly we get rid of it to replace it with the same thing only newer. This doesn’t mean renouncing the world and all your possessions, it just encourages you to take from this life only what is needed. It is a reminder that these things typically don’t bring us long-lasting happiness and if we look to material things to fill that space we will never see an end to that cycle.

Lastly, Asteya can relate to our emotions and actions. How we act, react and express ourselves around others can have more of an impact than we sometimes realize. Are we stealing someones peace by loudly complaining about minute obstacles from our day? Are we stealing someones happiness by constantly changing the subject to circle back to our losses?

Asteya is an easy Yama to incorporate into your life and practice. So as we begin a new year I invite you to slow down and make sure there is ease to your practice. Daily, committed practice brings about the best changes in the body; changes that can be long lasting if we remain honest and open.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga: The Yamas, Part 2

Last month we discussed the first Yama in yoga, Ahimsa, or non-violence. Hopefully you’ve found a way to introduce elements of it into your daily habits. This month we’ll discuss Satya, or truthfulness.

Satya means so much more than simply not telling lies. The Yamas are meant to help us build better relationships with the people and the world around us. Yet, more importantly, they’re meant to help us build better relationships with ourselves. I would say the most difficult part of implementing Satya into our own lives is actually looking closely enough to realize if we are letting our constantly changing thoughts and emotions determine how we identify with ourselves.

“I am not good for this position because of….” or “I don’t think I can succeed because of….”

It’s very easy to not see the truth or reality in life’s situations when we are either observing them from different emotional states or worse, if we’re choosing not to truly see the truth of a situation because it’s not the outcome we were hoping for.

It’s important to slow down long enough for our minds to react to a situation from a more pragmatic state and not a purely emotional state. It’s tricky at first, and harder some days than others, but you eventually begin to realize that “you are not your thoughts” and that realization can be liberating.

The best way to slow down your thoughts is to practice Yoga! When we focus our attention on our breathing we create an opportunity to slow down the fluctuations of the mind and approach our practice from a place of truth. You can implement Satya in your own practice by being truthful with your body’s limitations and your breath will be your best teacher. When your breath gets rushed or shallow, it’s an opportunity for you to see your limits and to work with them.

Introducing and improving Satya to your personal relationships can help you build stronger foundations. Whether it be a romantic relationship, relationships with friends or family, or even co-workers and acquaintances it’s important to not only be truthful but also compassionate. A big element of Satya is also discernment; understanding what aspect of truth should be expressed and when to express it. Sometimes honesty calls for us to remain silent. It’s important to slow down and observe our motives before we speak.

A very good question to ask yourself before you speak is “will this truth serve this person? Or am I saying this to prove my point or to gain something from it? Is my ego getting in front of the situation?”

Yoga teaches us to slow down our erratic thought processes and gives us the space to approach situations in our lives from a more honest and rational state of mind. Life is always going to be full of challenges and setbacks, it’s how we choose to react to these circumstances that determines the outcomes.

Adding elements of Ahimsa (non-harming) and Satya (truthfulness) to your everyday life is great foundation to your journey through Yoga.

Next month we’ll discuss Asteya (non-stealing), the 3rd moral restraint of the Yamas.

Press down into the feet to lift the hips high enough so the prop can be placed under the sacrum. If using a block turn it to the lowest or medium height. Be sure the prop is not directly under the arch of the low back (lumbar spine); it should be placed below this area (the sacrum

Draw the knees in towards the chest, lifting the feet off the floor, and then extend the legs up towards the ceiling

It may be useful to wiggle around on the prop to find that sweet spot where the legs feel as though they are floating in mid air

Relax the arms on either side of the torso, palms facing up

Do very little work to keep the legs lifted and stay for 1-3 minutes

To come out bend the knees in towards the chest and then plant the feet to the floor. Lift the hips high enough so the prop can be removed and then lower the hips to the ground

Modifications/Variations:

To invert the arms and help with leg support - when the knees hug into the chest place a strap/yoga belt around the sole of each foot and then extend the legs towards the ceiling. Keep the arms straight as each hand lightly holds a tail of the strap.

For leg support, move to a wall. Place a neatly folded blanket 2-3 inches away from the wall. Sit on top of the blanket with the outer right hip facing the wall. Mindfully swing the legs up so that the backs of the legs rest against the support of the wall. If the backs of the legs feel tight, slide further away from the wall to decrease the angle of the legs.

Yoga is believed to be over 5,000 years old yet has only recently gained popularity within Western cultures. Usually when we hear the word “yoga” we think in terms of Asana, or simply put: yoga poses. Yoga is an 8-limbed path for life that was designed to help strip us of our egos and lead us to self-realization.

The “8 Limbs of Yoga” was created so we could all live from a place of authenticity, looking inward for most answers. This system was first documented by Patanjali in the 2nd century B.C.

Human beings are emotional creatures, and how we choose to react to these emotions says a lot about who we are as a person. I grew up in an Irish-Catholic family, so most of the time emotions were things you simply replaced with sarcasm. Yoga teaches us not only to acknowledge our emotions, but also to own up to them, meaning not looking for outside reasons or people to blame for the things we might be feeling. It also teaches us to slow things down a bit, so we can truly feel these emotions, good or bad.

To look inward we must do so with a very honest and open mind, which brings us to the first limb of yoga: Yamas, or restraints. Yamas encourage us to get to know ourselves better, not based on our possessions, accomplishments or our stature in life but based on what we feel at a very deep and personal level.

The best part of these “restraints” is that they don’t require us to be perfect. They’re meant to be guidelines that help us better connect to the things we do, say, and believe. They encourage us to explore our behaviors and choices at a deeper level so we can realize how our actions affect not only ourselves but those around us. Simply put, the

Yamas are meant to awaken us to the fact that we are all part of something that is greater than ourselves, and that our actions are our contributions to the world.

The 5 Yamas are not commandments or strict rules requiring mastery to achieve enlightenment. They are guidelines to help us live our lives with more satisfaction with ourselves and those that we are lucky enough to have around us. Understanding that Yamas are an integral part of your yoga practice and gradually introducing them is a great first step in your personal journey towards finding and expressing the truest form of yourself.

The first Yama is Ahimsa, or nonviolence. Ahimsa applies to all sentient beings. I believe that diet is a very personal matter, therefore I will choose to focus on the element of Ahimsa as it applies to our emotions and social actions. Ahimsa is a fundamental tool that allows you to see your thoughts and actions from a place of non-judgment. Here are some helpful ways to introduce ahimsa into your daily life:

Before you speak make sure your words are truthful and have good intentions (no gossiping);

If you feel “hatred” or “dislike” towards someone or something allow yourself the space to genuinely understand the root of the situation and think of positive ways to address it;

Slow down and notice your thought patterns, and try to shift to more positivity. Ahimsa applies to the way we think and speak about ourselves as well;

Let go of expectations of the way a pose should look in your Asana practice like and give yourself the positive space to truly feel the posture. Forcing your body into a position it's not ready for is a prime example of overlooking Ahimsa.